Rich, brick-red chili gravy. Tender bites of beef that practically melt when your spoon hits them. And the best part? Your slow cooker does almost all the work while your kitchen fills with the coziest, smoky aroma. This Easy Crockpot Chili Colorado is my kind of weeknight magic.

If you love big, bold flavor but don’t want to babysit a pot on the stove all day, this recipe is for you. We build a simple homemade red chile sauce from dried peppers, pour it over hearty chunks of beef, and let everything simmer low and slow until it’s silky, saucy, and deeply comforting. Load your bowl with toppings or keep it simple with warm tortillas on the side—either way, it’s an instant family favorite.

Why You’ll Love This Easy Crockpot Chili Colorado

Chili Colorado is all about layers of flavor, and the slow cooker makes it incredibly forgiving. Once the sauce is blended and the beef is tucked into the crock, you’re basically done. No browning every single cube of meat, no constant stirring—just set it and let the heat work its magic.

It’s also a flexible recipe. You can make it mild or spicy depending on which dried chiles you choose, keep it gluten-free by serving it over rice or potatoes, or pile it into tortillas like a saucy beef taco filling. Leftovers only get better, which makes it perfect for meal prep, game day spreads, or feeding a hungry crowd on a chilly night.

What Cut of Beef Is Best for Chili Colorado in the Crockpot?

For slow-cooked Chili Colorado, you want a well-marbled cut that can handle long, gentle cooking and come out tender instead of dry. Beef chuck roast is my go-to—it’s affordable, hearty, and full of connective tissue that breaks down into luscious tenderness over several hours.

You can also use beef stew meat or a blade roast if that’s what you have on hand. Just avoid super-lean cuts like sirloin or round; they don’t have enough fat to stay juicy after hours in the crockpot. Whatever cut you choose, aim for 1-inch cubes so the meat cooks evenly and soaks up plenty of that gorgeous red chile sauce.

Ingredients for the Easy Crockpot Chili Colorado

Before you start tossing everything into the slow cooker, it helps to know what each ingredient is bringing to the party. This isn’t a long list, but every piece plays a role in building that deep, restaurant-style flavor.

Beef chuck roast – Cut into chunks, this is the flavorful, marbled meat that becomes meltingly tender in the slow cooker.
Dried New Mexico or California chiles – These mild red chiles create the base of the classic Chili Colorado sauce with earthy, slightly sweet flavor.
Dried guajillo or ancho chiles – Add deeper color and a gentle smokiness, along with a bit more complexity and mild heat.
Yellow onion – Softens into the sauce and adds a savory backbone so the chili doesn’t taste flat.
Garlic cloves – Fresh garlic gives warmth and punch that pairs beautifully with the chiles.
Beef broth – Thins the sauce to the right consistency while boosting the meaty flavor.
Tomato sauce – Adds body, a touch of acidity, and helps the sauce cling to every piece of beef.
Apple cider vinegar – Just a splash brightens the rich sauce and balances the natural sweetness of the chiles.
Ground cumin – Brings gentle smokiness and that unmistakable chili-house aroma.
Dried oregano (preferably Mexican) – Adds an herby, slightly citrusy note that keeps the sauce from feeling heavy.
Masa harina or cornmeal – A little bit thickens the sauce and adds subtle corn flavor, similar to what you get in traditional Mexican stews.
Salt and black pepper – Essential for seasoning the beef and waking up all the flavors in the pot.
Bay leaf – Infuses the sauce with a soft, savory fragrance as everything simmers.
Optional toppings: shredded cheddar, sour cream, chopped cilantro, lime wedges – These are the fun finishing touches that let everyone customize their bowl.

How To Make the Easy Crockpot Chili Colorado

This Chili Colorado looks impressive but the process is super approachable. You’ll soak and blend the chiles into a smooth sauce, pour it over the beef, and let the slow cooker handle the rest.

Step 1: Prep the chiles and aromatics

Remove the stems and most of the seeds from the dried chiles. Give them a quick toast in a dry skillet until fragrant—this wakes up their natural oils. Add the toasted chiles to a bowl, cover with hot water, and let them soak until soft. Meanwhile, roughly chop the onion and peel the garlic so they’re ready for the blender.

Step 2: Blend the red chile sauce

Add the soaked chiles (drained), onion, garlic, beef broth, tomato sauce, apple cider vinegar, cumin, oregano, salt, and pepper to a blender. Blend until completely smooth and velvety; you don’t want any big chile pieces left. If your blender struggles, add a splash more broth to help it along.

Step 3: Load the crockpot with beef and sauce

Place the cubed beef chuck into the bottom of your slow cooker. Sprinkle in the masa harina, then pour the blended chile sauce all over the top, turning the beef so everything is coated. Nestle in the bay leaf, cover with the lid, and you’re ready to cook.

Step 4: Let it cook low and slow

Cook on LOW for 7–8 hours or HIGH for 4–5 hours, until the beef is fork-tender and the sauce has thickened and darkened in color. Give it a stir a couple of times if you’re home, but it’s not mandatory. Taste and adjust with additional salt or a splash of vinegar if you’d like a brighter finish.

Step 5: Serve with your favorite sides and toppings

Remove the bay leaf, then ladle the Chili Colorado into bowls. Top with shredded cheese, a dollop of sour cream, fresh cilantro, and a squeeze of lime, or keep it simple and rustic. Serve with warm flour or corn tortillas, rice, or roasted potatoes to soak up the extra sauce.

Serving and Storing Easy Crockpot Chili Colorado

This recipe makes enough to comfortably feed about 6 people, especially if you pair it with rice, beans, or tortillas on the side. For a heartier crowd, think of it as 4 very generous portions.

Serve the Chili Colorado piping hot, with plenty of toppings and something starchy to catch every drop of sauce. Because the beef is shredded-tender, it also works beautifully spooned over baked potatoes, tucked into burritos, or piled onto nachos for a game day platter.

Leftovers keep extremely well. Store cooled Chili Colorado in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. The flavors deepen overnight, so it often tastes even better the next day. For longer storage, freeze in meal-size portions for up to 3 months; thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat gently on the stove or in the microwave, adding a splash of broth if the sauce has thickened too much.

What to Serve With Easy Crockpot Chili Colorado?

When you’ve got a big, bold bowl of Chili Colorado, you just need a few simple sides to round out the meal. Here are some delicious pairing ideas.

Warm Flour or Corn Tortillas

Soft tortillas are perfect for scooping up tender beef and red chile sauce, or for rolling everything into quick tacos.

Cilantro-Lime Rice

A bright, zesty rice balances the richness of the chili and stretches the meal to feed more people.

Refried or Black Beans

Creamy beans make the plate feel extra hearty and soak up the extra sauce in the tastiest way.

Simple Green Salad

A crisp salad with lime vinaigrette adds freshness and crunch alongside the deep, slow-cooked flavors.

Roasted or Grilled Vegetables

Charred peppers, onions, zucchini, or corn bring smoky sweetness that pairs beautifully with the chile-forward sauce.

Tortilla Chips and Guacamole

Turn it into a full Tex-Mex spread with crunchy chips and a bowl of cool, creamy guac on the side.

Mexican Street Corn (Elote or Esquites)

Sweet, juicy corn with mayo, cotija, and chili powder echoes the flavors of the Chili Colorado while adding a fun, summery touch.

Want More Cozy Slow Cooker Dinner Ideas?

If this Easy Crockpot Chili Colorado has you craving more set-it-and-forget-it comfort food, you’re in good company. Try one of these other slow cooker and cozy dinner favorites next:

Deep, hearty chili night: Make a batch of The Best Chili Recipe for a classic, bean-loaded bowl everyone will recognize and love.
Veggie-packed comfort soup: Warm up with a pot of Easy Vegetable Beef Soup when you want something cozy that sneaks in extra vegetables.
Southwest slow cooker vibes: Let the crockpot work its magic on Slow Cooker Chicken Tortilla Soup for a zesty, crowd-pleasing option with plenty of toppings.
Old-school Sunday dinner: Serve up fork-tender beef with Crockpot Swiss Steaks when you’re craving a nostalgic, comforting plate.

Save This Pin For Later

📌 Save this Easy Crockpot Chili Colorado to your favorite Pinterest board so it’s ready whenever you need a low-effort, big-flavor dinner.

When you make it, come back and tell me how it turned out—did you go for mild chiles or crank up the heat? Did you serve it over rice, tuck it into tortillas, or pile it onto crispy potatoes?

I love hearing how you make these recipes your own, and your questions always help other home cooks, too. Let’s keep swapping ideas and finding new ways to make dinnertime easier and more delicious.

Craving more cozy meals and everyday inspiration? Explore more recipes on Nora Nosh and follow along on my Nora Nosh Pinterest page for fresh, flavor-packed ideas all week long.